Château de Saint-André du Coing, Renaissance castle in Saint-Didier-au-Mont-d'Or, France.
The Château de Saint-André du Coing is a Renaissance castle with a rectangular main building surrounded by three auxiliary structures that form an interior courtyard. The estate spans 12 hectares and displays the architectural style typical of the region during this period.
The castle was built in the 16th century on the foundations of a medieval fortress called La Rionde and was originally owned by the archbishops of Lyon. This transformation from a defensive stronghold into an elegant residence shaped the site's long history.
The castle rooms display 17th-century grisaille paintings with putti and scrollwork patterns attributed to painter Pietro Ricci. These wall decorations show what the residents valued in art and their appreciation for Italian craftsmanship.
The castle is private property and has been registered as a Historical Monument since September 2007, which means it can be viewed from outside. Visitors should know that the interior is generally not open to the public and only the exterior can be seen.
Two original medieval towers stand at the ends of the terrace and bear witness to the site's defensive past. These remnants of the earlier fortress show how the Renaissance redesign preserved the older structures.
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